How can I tell the Department to share my protected health information with a family member, friend, or other third party?

You may want us to speak with or share your health information with someone you choose to assist you with your Medical Assistance Program benefits.

    • If you want to authorize the Department to share with your family member or close friend, use our Personal Representative Form. This authorization does not expire unless you choose an expiration date.  You will need to sign the form, have your Personal Representative sign the form and return it together with copies of your identification.
  • If you want to authorize the Department to share your health information with an attorney, insurance company, advocate or assistant for a specific purpose, please use our Third-Party Authorization Form. This authorization expires in 1 year, unless you choose an expiration date. You will need to sign the form and return it together with copies of your identification.

Do I need a referral or a provider’s permission to get Outpatient Physical and Occupational Therapy (PT/OT)?

Yes. Your primary care doctor, or the hospital you are discharged from, may refer you to a physical or occupational therapist to help you recover. You may also go directly to a therapist for care, but that therapist must contact your primary care doctor to get approval for your treatment plan.

Children ages 0 to 3 may receive Outpatient Physical and Occupational Therapy (PT/OT) without a referral if it is coordinated through Early Intervention Colorado.

How many times can I get Outpatient Physical and Occupational Therapy services?

The benefit does not have a hard-annual limit for children or adults. The benefit is limited by the number of visits which are authorized.

Your provider will be able to help answer your questions about PT/OT services and how many you are able to get in 12 months.

You can read about the PT/OT services a Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid program) member can get on the Benefits & Services page.

You can also contact the Health First Colorado Member Contact Center for more information.

What is Outpatient Physical and Occupational Therapy?

Physical and Occupational Therapies (PT/OT) are services meant to help you recover from an acute injury, illness, or surgery. Some therapies are meant to help you maintain physical ability, or help children reach developmental milestones.

PT/OT is performed by licensed professionals. Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid program) limits the number of PT/OT services you can get in a year. Get more information on PT/OT limits.

English is not my first language. Will Health First Colorado pay for a translator during my doctor visits?

Translators are not a Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid program) benefit. Doctors and other medical providers must offer effective communication with their patients. Effective communication includes translators, American Sign Language interpreters, written material in another language, or other options to help people who speak a language other than English and for people with a disability. For more information, contact the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Coordinator.

I legally changed my name. How do I change my name on my Health First Colorado or Child Health Plan Plus case?

There are two ways to report that you have legally changed your name.

  1. Contact your local county office or Medical Assistance site.
  2. If you are enrolled in Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid program) or Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) and do not receive food assistance, cash assistance, or financial assistance to purchase private health insurance through Connect for Health Colorado, you can also call the Member Contact Center at 1-800-221-3943 / State Relay: 711 to change your name.

I have Health First Colorado but my income has recently changed. How can I update my income?

If you are a current Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid program) or Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) member and you need to tell us about a change in your income, log on to your PEAK account at Colorado.gov/PEAK to report the change. This is the fastest and easiest way to tell us about the change in your income. You can get in-person help updating your income using your PEAK account from a Certified Application Assistance Sites in your community. If you do not have a PEAK account, you can create a PEAK Account at any time, even if you did not apply online.

You can also report income changes using the Health First Colorado mobile app or by contacting your local County Human Services Office or a Medical Assistance Site in your community.

After you tell us what your new income is, we will need to see if you and your family still qualify for Health First Colorado or CHP+. If you do still qualify then you do not have to do anything. If you no longer qualify for Health First Colorado or CHP+ we’ll check to see if you and your family still qualify for a tax credit to help purchase private health insurance through Connect for Health Colorado.